Survivors of Solitary Confinement

Survivors of Solitary Confinement, from left: Laura Whitehorn, Robert King Wilkerson. Source: afsc.org/stopmax

President Obama declared that “we have banned torture without exception.” However, some would take exception to this claim. The practice of isolating a person in solitary confinement for extended periods of time causes severe sensory deprivation and has been denounced as torture by the United Nations. But tens of thousands are locked up in solitary confinement in American prisons.

Producer Claire Schoen met nine formerly incarcerated people, who described what it’s like not to talk to or touch another person, for years at a time. Listen as they explain the conditions driving 30,000+ people to hunger strike right now in California’s prisons.

2 Comments

i have family that is locked up there in belican bay!he is on this strike and i’m very worried about him.this is crazy its racist let them out thats not cool.our family will die like others if they dont give in.thanks for listening

I’m totally interested in this subject and wanted to hear this show. But the background music is way too loud and distracting. Whose idea was this to have loud drums and flutes?! I want to hear what the people have to say — I don’t want to have to continually try and hear them OVER your loud music. How nice it is when it stops from time to time!

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